Combination string and needle container for stringing meats



Nov. 22, 1955 H. w. FINCH 2,724,534

COMBINATION STRING AND NEEDLE CONTAINER FOR STRINGING MEATS Filed July 24, 1952 Harold 14/. Finch U INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 1 2,724,534 COMBINATION STRING AND NEEDLE CON TAINER FOR STRINGING MEATS Harold W. Finch, Margaretville, N. Y. Application July 24, 1952, Serial No. 300,637

1 Claim. (Cl. 223-404) This invention relates to a device designed for use in stringing meats, such as hams, bacon and various other types of meats wherein it is necessary to apply a hanging string.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is so constructed and arranged that it provides a support for the needle, and at the same time houses the ball of string used in stringing the meats, to the end that the needle will remain threaded after each stringing operation, resulting in a substantial saving in time and labor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be used as a means for holding and manipulating the needle in forcing the needle through the meat to which the string is being applied.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for supporting the spool of string in the housing, so that the string may be unwound from the spool, without the danger of the string wedging or binding between the spool and cover the housing which supports the spool.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a combined stringer and needle container, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the housing illustrating the manner of securing the needle to the housing.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the housing, the needle being shown in section.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates the housing in which the spool of string, used in stringing meats, is supported. 1

This housing 5 preferably tapers towards one end thereof, as clearly shown by the drawing, the opposite end being provided with lugs 6, under which the spring arms 7 engage, the spring arms 7 being secured to the cover 8 which fits over the open end of the housing.

This cover 8 is provided with the handle 9 by means of which the cover may be readily applied or removed. The handle 9 also afiords means whereby the device or housing may be used in forcing the needle, forming a part of the invention, through the meat.

Secured to the inner surface of the cover 8, is the hollow cone support10 which has one end thereof fitted around the disc 11, which is secured to the inner surface of the cover 8.

The disc 11 is formed with a central opening through which the bolt 12 extends, the bolt 12 having its head 13 bearing against the washer 14 that is held against the end of the cone 10, the opposite threaded end of the bolt 12 passing through the opening of the disc 11 where it is supplied with the nut 15 which draws the cone, which as a matter of fact forms the core on which the string indicated by the reference character 16 is wound. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the cone or spool of string will be securely held within the housing, when the cover is positioned to close one end of the housing.

The opening indicated by the reference character 16' is formed in the closed end of the housing, and through this opening the string used in stringing meats passes from the housing.

The reference character 17 indicates a metal disc formed with a central threaded opening, in which the needle 18 is threaded, removably securing the needle to the housing.

Secured to the outer surface of the closed end of the housing, is the blade 19 which is held in place by means of the spring arms 20 that are also secured to the closed end of the housing. This blade aliords means whereby the string which has been used in stringing the meat, may be cut from the spool or ball of string held within the housing.

The reference character 21 indicates a guard which is disposed longitudinally of one edge of the blade 19, so that in case a double edged blade 19 is used, the exposed edge of the blade out of use, will be guarded against injuring the hand of the person using the device.

In using the device the housing is positioned over the shank end of a ham about two inches from the end and the needle is then pushed into the ham with the needle threaded, the needle extending through the ham. The operator now reaches under the shank of the ham and grips the twine holding the twine while the housing and needle are pulled away from the ham, the needle being withdrawn from the ham a distance of about two feet. The needle remains threaded, and the portion of the string beyond the needle is moved into contact with the cutting edge of the blade 19, cutting the string, leaving the needlethreaded for repeating the operation in stringing meat.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, the housing provides a support for the needle whereby the needle may be forced through the meat being strung, by pressure directed to the housing by the handle 9. It will also be seen that the needle remains threaded, eliminating the necessity of threading the needle with each operation to string meat.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A device for stringing meats, comprising an inverted frusto-conical housing in which a spool of string is held, said housing having a string opening in the smaller end thereof through which string from said spool is extended, a stringing needle extending from the center of said smaller end of the housing through which string held in the housing is threaded, a removable closure normally closing the large end of said body, a hollow inverted cone embodying a spool support, means for securing the spool support to the cover, said securing means embodying a disc fitted within the large end of said spool support, a bolt having a threaded end extending along the longitudinal axis of the spool support the threaded end passing through said cover, a head on the other end of the bolt engaging with the small end of the cone, and a nut on the threaded end of said bolt adapted to draw a spool mounted on the spool holder in position on said spool holder, a handle secured to the cover, said handle on and extending beyond said cover and adapted to be gripped by the operator for effecting operation of said needle in stringing meat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 629,018 Streeter July 18, 1899 1,092,529 Horn Apr. 7, 1914 1,991,316 Gage Feb. 12, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,942 Great Britain 1902 

